Archive for the ‘The First Letter of Peter’ Category

Hey troops, I didn’t stop posting because I was on sabbatical but because I was waiting for comments on my February 24th post on chapter 5. If I don’t hear from you by midweek, I’ll simply go on and share my comments as we begin wrapping up I Peter.

We come now the conclusion of I Peter, Chapter 5. The focus of this section is on the elders and by extension, to the flock. It has been said and I often teach, “Leadership is influence and everything rises and falls on leadership.” Peter, obviously, has a similar perspective. Let’s take a few moments and […]

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the […]

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve […]

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. – 1 Peter 4.1 The last time we posted on I Peter, I asked you to comment on the meaning of this verse. Here is my understanding. The text is not […]

Peter’s letter now proceeds in a powerful way to its conclusion. Having marshaled a series of excellent instructions aimed at causing them to live in faithfulness to God. Now Peter enters into an examination, laying foundations that will help them truly become Christlike. Here are echoes of the words Jesus has been speaking, even before […]

In our last session we discussed suffering for doing good. Often when we are suffering, all of our attention and emotional energy is focused on how we feel or our sense injustice or deprivation. But remember what verse 14 said: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not […]

Let’s look a little more deeply now at the text itself. 1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence […]

1 Peter 2.18-25 sums up the general commentary on living godly lives in a pagan society with a very specific (and troubling) instruction to the people at the very bottom of the political and socio-economic heap – SLAVES. “ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who […]

After reminding his readers that they are citizens of another kingdom, Paul tackles some very difficult issues about living within that pagan culture. The first has to do with authority. 1 Peter 2,13-18 reads– 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or […]